Philippe Coutinho

[Tee]

Still has a lot of developing to do, there will always been some magic moments with him but all too often he will give the ball away far too cheaply for a man of his talents.

[dww]

That's the thing - I think his decision making is often terrible. If things aren't on then hold the ball or pass simply for posession.

One thing I'm not sure about is whether it is unfair to ask him to influence the overall flow of the game. At the minute he never does that. But then I'm not sure that we should be looking to turn him into Alonso. I do think we need him to be more consistent and thoughtful though.

[DannyMan2006]

Players such as him tend to thrive when put with better players and there's less emphasis on them doing everything. Of course he needs to do better mind.

[wiw]

I think we need to be patient with him, we've gone from a 'give the ball to Coutinho' tactic under Rodgers to a more balanced attacking team with quicker passing and different tactics. You would hope with time this bring everyone closer to the same kind of wavelength. I don't know for certain but from what i'm reading Klopp seems to want the players to be more aware of their positioning for when possession is turned over - this must take some getting used to but after a while it will become instinctive. It must be harder to play your natural game when you're having to adapt to different instructions. He clearly has the talent and Klopp's thing about being more calm in the final 3rd can only help in the long term

[frank the tank]

Against chelsea, after 44 minutes, i was thinking "i wouldn't be surprised if he was subbed"

His passing was terrible, he just gave away possession and he looked like it was just one of those days. However, he has genuine quality and players like him are sometimes the difference between losing a game 1-0 despite having loads of the ball, and winning the game 3-1.

For me, Coutinho has now won us 4 points on his own - away at Chelsea and Stoke - where I think we would have drawn both games had it not been for little philly.

He hasn't been that great in the 9½ league games he has played for us. But he still has 3 goals and 2 assists in those games.

Compare that with Lallana who has 0 goals and 0 assists in the league this season. So whilst a lot of people are saying "ohh lallana looks better this season now that he has fitness" well in reality he does a lot of running around but adds **** all else....

[dww]

I think a longer view might incorporate last season when they had very similar stats. Both this season and last coutinho had runs of form that looked like he had kicked on but reverted to his long term average.

He does have an undoubted x-factor about him but his contribution in general play has been uninspiring.

[Nicey]

any news on him, thought him can off holding his hammy ?

[Jaymo]

Looked to me as if it was a dead leg, think Fernandinho caught him with his knee in the back of the thigh. Hopefully it's not too serious

[ChesterDave]

^ Yep.

Just looked like he got kicked in the back. Don't think it is anything serious.

[Red_Polo]

any news on him, thought him can off holding his hammy ?

I read this in Geordie.

[Vermilion]

[Nicey]

I read this in Geordie.

[Fosterbloke]

Been reported that it's a minor hamstring strain.

He'll miss Bordeaux and probably miss Swansea too. I reckon we'll try something else in the Europa and use Sturridge against Swansea.

[The_weatherman]

Been reported that it's a minor hamstring strain.

He'll miss Bordeaux and probably miss Swansea too. I reckon we'll try something else in the Europa and use Sturridge against Swansea.

Guardian is reporting he could make the Swansea game, but Klopp seems to be the careful type.

[cream]

We've got good options attacking wise, we should be ok for a couple of games.

Is big Phil our top scorer?

edit. Yes, big Phil on 5, one ahead of Benteke.